Cleaner for printing equipment

ABSTRACT

A non-inflammable cleaner for printing equipment is composed of a lower boiling non-inflammable halogenated liquid hydrocarbon, a higher boiling non-inflammable halogenated liquid hydrocarbon and a petroleum solvent such as mineral spirits, blended together in critical proportions so that the resultant blend is noninflammable but possesses the required drying characteristics and cleaning efficacy.

I Umted States Patent 1191 1111 3,773,676 Boyles Nov. 20, 1973 [54] CLEANER FOR PRINTING EQUIPMENT 2,969,328 1/l961 Ellenson et a1. 252/171 3,062,689 11/1962 Nakarnura 134/40 [75] Inventor: Remy Bamng" Atlanta 3,275,563 9/1966 on 252/171 3,351,560 11/1967 Brown et al. 252/171 [73] Assignee: Consolidated Foods Corporation 3,682,834 8/1972 Vivian 1 252/171 Atlanta, Ga. Primary ExaminerWilliam E. Schulz [22] Filed 1972 Aztomeyl3enjamin H. Sherman et al. [21] Appl. No.: 311,512

[57] ABSTRACT 5 U. Cl. 252 171 101 424, 34 40, 2] S l 6 4 A non-mflammable cleaner for pnnting equlpment 1s [51] Int Cl C11 d 7 /52 composed of a lower boiling non-inflammable haloge- [58] Field IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 170 172 nated liquid hydrocarbon, a higher boiling non- 101 g 4 inflammable halogenated liquid hydrocarbon and a petroleum solvent such as mineral spirits, blended to- [56] References Cited gether in critical proportions so that the resultant UNITED STATES PATENTS blend is non-inflammable but possesses the required drying characteristics and cleaning efficacy. 2,070,962 2/1937 Reid 252/172 5/1956 DeLew et al. 252/172 17 Claims, No Drawings CLEANER FOR PRINTING EQUIPMENT BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is necessary to keep printing equipment clean of printing inks, oils, greases and other soiling material. The usual practice is to wipe the equipment with clean cloths soaked in a solvent such as mineral spirits, gasoline, kerosene, hexane, naphtha, isopropanol and/or methyl ethyl ketone. These solvents constitute a health and/or safety hazard.

It is an object of the invention to provide a nonflammable solvent for cleaning printing equipment.

It is another object of the invention to provide a relatively safe cleaning solvent that has desirable drying characteristics.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a solvent that stays wet for a sufficient period to allow printing equipment to be wiped clean but which dries within a relatively short time thereafter.

The aforesaid objects are attained by blending together, in critical ratios, non-inflammable lower and higher boiling halogenated liquid hydrocarbons and a petroleum hydrocarbon solvent such as mineral spirits. The several components of the solvent blend cooperate with each other to make the solvent non-inflammable, give the solvent the necessary drying characteristics, i.e., remain wet long enough to enable the pressman to wipe the equipment clean with a cloth but dry within a few minutes thereafter, and provide excellent soil removing properties for removing ink, grease, oil and other material from the equipment. Moreover, the solvent presents no greater health hazards than known so]- vents and is less hazardous than most.

The solvent can be applied in the customary manner, i.e., by soaking a clean cloth therewith and wiping the soiled equipment. It may also be applied by spraying the solvent from a squeeze bottle such as a plastic container or from an aerosol container, onto the equipment and promptly wiping the equipment before the solvent evaporates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION,

In accordance with my invention there is blended in critical proportions a low boiling non-inflammable halogenated hydrocarbon, a higher boiling noninflammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid and a light petroleum solvent such as mineral spirits. The solvent should have a flash point no lower than 100F. Mineral spirits is a well known product in the solvent industry and is composed of hydrocarbons within the boiling range of approximately 40 to 200C. Mineral spirits is a petroleum fraction composed principally of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. Mineral spirits has a flash point (Cleveland open cup) of 40C.

Among the lower boiling halogenated hydrocarbons that are useful in the preparation of a solvent are those brominated and chlorinated hydrocarbons boiling within the range of approximately 35 to 50C. Examples of such halogenated hydrocarbons are methylene chloride and ethyl bromide. The higher boiling halogenated hydrocarbons which are useful in the preparation of the solvent are those brominated and/or chlorinated hydrocarbons boiling within the range of approximately 60 to 175C. Examples of such compounds which are useful are: perchlorethylene, carbon tetrachloride, trichlorpropane, bromoform, bromotrichloromethane and 1,2-dibromoethylene (ethylene dibromide). I

The several components of the solvent must be blended together in critical ratios in order to obtain a solvent having the requisite drying properties and cleaning efficiency and at the same time be noninflammable. The higher boiling halogenated hydrocarbon must be present in an amount by volume of 45 to 60 percent, the mineral spirits or other equivalent petroleum fraction must be present in an amount of 25 to 35 percent, and the lower boiling halogenated hydrocarbon must be present in the amount of 10 to 20 percent by volume. While the preferred composition is a blend of perchloroethylene, mineral spirits, and methylene chloride, each of these materials may be substituted by one or a mixture of other equivalent components within the requisite boiling range, or these materials themselves may be mixed with other equivalent components within the requisite boiling range.

As previously pointed out one of the essential characteristics of the solvent blend is that it have the necessary drying characteristics, i.e., that it remain wet for a sufficient period to enable a press man to wipe the equipment with the solvent and to dry within a few minutes after the equipment has been wiped clean. In general, the drying time should be between about 5 and 15 minutes. Within the critical ranges of volume percentages above specified for each component of the solvent, the component may be varied to either increase or decrease the drying time, e.g., if it is intended to increase drying time, the percentage of perchlorethylene or equivalent halogenated hydrocarbon will be near the upper limit. On the other hand, if a faster drying time is desired, the methylene chloride or equivalent component will be near the upper limit. By holding the percentage of mineral spirits within the range of 25 to 35 percent, the resulting solvent blend will not be flammable as determined by ASTM Test Method D-92-57 and meets the conditions necessary for safe cleaning of press rollers and plates. Increasing the mineral spirits content of the solvent to the top limit will increase the drying time of the solvent, assuming the other two components are held constant.

Following are a number of examples of solvent blends formulated in accordance with the invention:

EXAMPLE I Perchlorethylene 60% Mineral Spirits 30% Methylene Chloride l0% This composition has a relatively fast drying time and is preferably used only in cleaning smaller press rollers.

EXAMPLE II Perchlorethylene 50% Mineral Spirits 30% Methylene Chloride 20% EXAMPLE m Perchlorethylene 50% Mineral Spirits 35% Methylene Chloride 15% EXAMPLE 1V 1,1,1 Trichlorethane 55% Mineral Spirits 25% Methylene Chloride This blend has an acceptable evaporation rate, i.e., desirable drying characteristics and its flammability characteristics are such as to make the product acceptable.

EXAMPLE V Perchlorethylene 55% Mineral Spirits Methylene Chloride 20% This composition has an acceptable evaporation rate and is non-flammable when tested according to ASTM Test Method D-9257.

EXAMPLE Vl 1,1,1 Trichlorethane 43% Perchlorethylene 15% Mineral Spirits Methylene Chloride 12% In this blend some of the perchlorethylene has been substituted by 1,1,1 trichlorethane. The composition is non-flammable according to the ASTM Test Method D-92-57 and since the drying time is faster than the blend of Example 1, it is particularly useful where small parts are to be cleaned.

EXAMPLE V11 Ethylene Dibromide 55% Mineral Spirits 30% Ethyl Bromide 15% This composition is not flammable when tested according to ASTM Test Method D-92-57 and the drying time is within acceptable limits.

EXAMPLE VlIl Ethylene Dibromide 55% Mineral Spirits 30% Methylene Chloride 15% This composition is non-flammable when tested according to ASTM Test Method D-92-57. Drying time is within acceptable limits.

EXAMPLE IX Perchlorethylene 50% Mineral Spirits Methylene Bromide 15% This composition is non-flammable when tested according to ASTM Test Method D-92-57 and the drying time is within acceptable limits.

in using the cleaner to clean printing equipment, I perfer to soak a clean cloth with the cleaner and wipe the soiled press rollers, cylinders or other parts which require cleaning. However, it can be applied in other ways, as for example, by spraying it from a squeeze bottle such as a plastic container or from a container in which an aerosol mixture is contained.

in the specification and claims, the term nonflammable is used to designate a material which passes ASTM Test Method D-92-57.

I claim as my invention:

1. A solvent comprising 45-60 percent by volume of a non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid boiling above about C, 10-20 percent by volume of a non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid boiling below about 50C. and the balance a low boiling petroleum solvent having a flash point not less than about F.

2. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid boiling above about 70C. is from the group consisting ofperchlorethylene, carbon tetrachloride, trichloropropane, bromoform, bromotrichloromethane and ethylene dibromide.

3. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid boiling below about 50C. is from the group consisting of methylene chloride and ethyl bromide.

4. A solvent in accordance with claim 2 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon boiling below about 50C. is from the group consisting of methylene chloride and ethyl bromide.

5. A solvent in accordance with claim 4 in which the low boiling petroleum solvent is mineral spirits.

6. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid boiling above about 70C. is perchlorethylene.

7. A solvent in accordance with claim 6 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid boiling below about 50C. is methylene chloride.

8. A solvent in accordance with claim 7 in which the low boiling petroleum solvent is mineral spirits.

9. A solvent in accordance with claim 8 in which the perchlorethylene is present in the amount of about 60 percent, the methylene chloride is present in the amount of about 10 percent and the mineral spirits is present in the amount of about 30 percent.

10. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which there is present about 43 percent 1,1,1 trichlorethane, 15 percent of perchlorethylene, 12 percent of methylene chloride and 30 percent of mineral spirits.

11. A solvent in accordance with claim 5 in which the perchlorethylene is present in the amount of 50 percent, the methylene chloride is present in the amount of 20 percent and the mineral spirits is present in the amount of 30 percent.

12. A solvent in accordance with claim 5 in which the perchlorethylene is present in the amount of 50 percent, the methylene chloride is present in the amount of 15 percent and the mineral spirits is present in the amount of 35 percent.

13. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon boiling above about 70C. is 1,1,1 trichlorethane.

14. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon boiling above about 70C. is from the group 1,1,1 trichlorethane and perchlorethylene in the amount of about 55 percent, the non-inflammable halogenated hydrocarmove ink and other soiling materials comprising applying to said equipment the solvent of claim 1 and thereafter wiping the equipment with a clean cloth before the solvent is allowed to dry.

17. The method of cleaning printing equipment to remove ink and other soiling materials comprising applying to said equipment the solvent of claim 12 and thereafter imping the equipment with a clean cloth before the solvent is allowed to dry.

i i l 

2. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid boiling above about 70*C. is from the group consisting of perchlorethylene, carbon tetrachloride, trichloropropane, bromoform, bromotrichloromethane and ethylene dibromide.
 3. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid boiling below about 50*C. is from the group consisting of methylene chloride and ethyl bromide.
 4. A solvent in accordance with claim 2 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon boiling below about 50*C. is from the group consisting of methylene chloride and ethyl bromide.
 5. A solvent in accordance with claim 4 in which the low boiling petroleum solvent is mineral spirits.
 6. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid boiling above about 70*C. is perchlorethylene.
 7. A solvent in accordance with claim 6 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon liquid boiling below about 50*C. is methylene chloride.
 8. A solvent in accOrdance with claim 7 in which the low boiling petroleum solvent is mineral spirits.
 9. A solvent in accordance with claim 8 in which the perchlorethylene is present in the amount of about 60 percent, the methylene chloride is present in the amount of about 10 percent and the mineral spirits is present in the amount of about 30 percent.
 10. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which there is present about 43 percent 1,1,1 trichlorethane, 15 percent of perchlorethylene, 12 percent of methylene chloride and 30 percent of mineral spirits.
 11. A solvent in accordance with claim 5 in which the perchlorethylene is present in the amount of 50 percent, the methylene chloride is present in the amount of 20 percent and the mineral spirits is present in the amount of 30 percent.
 12. A solvent in accordance with claim 5 in which the perchlorethylene is present in the amount of 50 percent, the methylene chloride is present in the amount of 15 percent and the mineral spirits is present in the amount of 35 percent.
 13. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon boiling above about 70*C. is 1, 1,1 trichlorethane.
 14. A solvent in accordance with claim 1 in which the non-flammable halogenated hydrocarbon boiling above about 70*C. is from the group 1,1,1 trichlorethane and perchlorethylene in the amount of about 55 percent, the non-inflammable halogenated hydrocarbon boiling below about 50*C. is methylene chloride in the amount of about 20 percent and the balance is mineral spirits.
 15. The solvent of claim 1 in which the non-inflammable halogenated hydrocarbon boiling above about 70*C. is ethylene dibromide in the amount of about 55 percent, the non-inflammable halogenated hydrocarbon boiling below about 50*C. is ethyl bromide in the amount of about 15 percent and the balance is mineral spirits.
 16. The method of cleaning printing equipment to remove ink and other soiling materials comprising applying to said equipment the solvent of claim 1 and thereafter wiping the equipment with a clean cloth before the solvent is allowed to dry.
 17. The method of cleaning printing equipment to remove ink and other soiling materials comprising applying to said equipment the solvent of claim 12 and thereafter imping the equipment with a clean cloth before the solvent is allowed to dry. 